Wilkie takes a tilt at human rights Bill

DENISON MP Andrew Wilkie has renewed a push for Australia to adopt its own national bill of rights.

The independent MP yesterday presented a Private Bill that sought a bill of rights to promote universal respect and observance of human rights, similar to the US.

“This Bill will not transfer sovereignty to the courts,” Mr Wilkie said.

“Rather it will ensure that human rights are considered effectively when laws are made.”

Only five Acts of Parliament dealt with human rights, in the areas of sex, race, age and disability, highlighting that committees on the issue were also ineffective.

“I think the parliamentary processes in regards to human rights are, frankly, lame,” Mr Wilkie said.

“This Bill is necessary.” Mr Wilkie modelled his Bill on the Australian Bill of Rights Bill from 2001, and said Australia was the only democratic country without a bill of rights.

The Bill was timely as Australia saw recent instances of increasing surveillance, secrecy and indefinite detention without charge.

Another independent MP, Cathy McGowan, said much of the legislation before the Parliament infringed human rights.

Deciding same-sex marriage by a postal survey and efforts to tighten citizenship laws were a case in point, she said.

“It’s causing huge fear in my community about what their rights are as Australians,” she said.

“What we need is a national approach.”